Soccer
  • Home
  • Boxing
  • Joe Cordina 'gutted' after being stripped of IBF title without making a defence

Joe Cordina 'gutted' after being stripped of IBF title without making a defence

Joe Cordina admits he is "absolutely gutted" to be stripped of his IBF super-featherweight title due to a hand injury.

The Welshman stopped Kenichi Ogawa in June to claim the title and was due to make his first defence against Shavkat Rakhimov in Abu Dhabi on November 5.
However Cordina was forced to withdraw with the injury and has subsequently been informed by the IBF that he has been stripped of his title.
Cordina wrote on social media: "My fight in Abu Dhabi is off due to a hand injury which needed surgery, and to top it off, I've been informed that I've been stripped of the title.
"I worked my whole life and sacrificed everything to become a world champion, and I ain't even had the chance to defend it. It feels like I've been robbed. Breaks my heart, honestly."
It is expected that Rakhimov will now face Zelfa Barrett for the vacant belt on November 5.
The harsh action from the IBF has generated plenty of criticism, however, the organisation had given Cordina a medical extension to allow him to fight Rakhimov in November.
They then granted Cordina another medical extension which would expire on January 4, but the Welshman won't be available to compete until approximately March, which is why he was stripped of the title.

More Articles